Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 20 percent from November 5, 2018.,An initial rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure in Thailand and Guam. The Veteran is asked to provide more details about his alleged exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Right ear hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease. The denial is due to a lack of service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is required for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals and a low back condition, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and that they did not have their clinical onset in service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has restored service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection is also remanded for a lumbar spine disorder.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and diabetic retinopathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for rheumatoid arthritis prior to May 1, 2014, finding that the Veteran's condition was not active during this period and did not warrant a higher rating based on his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to diabetic neuropathy was denied. For the period prior to January 2, 2018, his hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. From January 2, 2018 onwards, he is rated at 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim based on diabetic neuropathy was granted as the disability prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer residuals, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The VA must provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for coronary artery disease is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to July 10, 2017 is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis as of January 12, 2010 and grants an increased rating for his bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a focus on whether his neuropathies are caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability with foot drop was granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence presented.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for diabetic sensory neuropathy of his left and right lower extremities (femoral nerve) from noncompensable to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2019. The reduction in rating was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran’s condition.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve of both lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial rating for nephropathy was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.,Ratings for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied, with ratings of 10 percent from March 9, 2015 to April 10, 2019, and 40 percent and 30 percent respectively after April 10, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy is being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded.